Experts say that in some cases, excessive sweating that leaves sheets and pillows soaked can be an early sign of cancer. writes a diary. Although usually nothing to worry about, this symptom can be a harbinger of a variety of cancers, including leukemia, lymphoma, bone cancer, liver cancer, mesothelioma, and carcinoid tumors.
The exact cause is not yet clear, but experts believe that such excessive sweating can be a sign that the body is trying to fight an insidious disease, as well as hormonal changes. In addition, cancer can in some cases cause fever, which leads to excessive sweating of the body to cool down.
According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), this can also happen if you are already undergoing cancer treatment. This is because patients can suffer from hot flashes and night sweats as a result of surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and the use of certain medications.
However, night sweats are not a sign of cancer in most cases, especially during hot weather or if you tend to sweat. It is most often associated with hormonal changes due to menopause or pregnancy, low blood sugar, the use of certain medications or stress. Last but not least, consumption of alcohol, spicy foods or exercise right before bed can also contribute to night sweats.
Excessive night sweats caused by cancer tend to be more persistent and accompanied by fever, while sweating due to menopause or more common causes occurs only occasionally. In cancer patients, this sweating usually occurs along with other symptoms such as fatigue and unexplained weight loss.
